The
San Diego Coaches Association has been really good to us this year. In the
past, getting information out of San Diego has been like pulling teeth, but this
year, we've gotten a slew of league and team capsule preview from our friends
down south.

The Coastal Conference has been through a
reorganization in the past few years. Now it's divided into a North League
and South League, rather than just one big conference. And among the teams
in this, the North League, you'll find some of the more competitive teams in the
State, including Santa Fe Christian and Tri-City, two of the stronger D-V teams
who could make a run again this year. What follows are capsule previews
and predictions from the Coaches' Assn. (no, these picks are not ours), for the
North League of the Coastal Conference, including some
pre-season picks for MVP and All-League players. Teams are listed in the
order of finish; again these are the Coaches' Association's picks, so if you
don't like them, blame them, not us.

Head Coach: Randy Wright (3rd Year)Last year’s record: 22 – 10 (7 – 1, 1st)Last year’s playoffs: Lost in CIF Championship, lost in state 1st
round. Key players: Nick Corso (Jr, 5’10"), Ryan Cornett (Jr, 6’06"), Ryan
Alexander (Jr, 5’11") Losses to overcome: Chase McBride (graduation), Blake Baldwin
(graduation), Tim Curtis (graduation)Summary: Corso is the leading return scorer in the county, and along
with Alexander, forms a solid nucleus for the Eagles. The rest of the line-up
will be supplemented by youth and should make for an interesting battle for
league supremacy with Tri-City Christian.

Head Coach: Tim Shelton (7th Year)Last year’s record: 20 – 7 (6 – 2, 2nd)Last year’s playoffs: Lost in quarterfinals.Key players: Brian Kraatz (Sr, 6’04"), Marcus Harkness (Sr, 6’01")Losses to overcome: Craig Sanetrick (graduation)Summary: Harkness and Kraatz form an
athletic duo that will give teams trouble all year, and will help the Eagles
make a strong run at the league crown as well
as the Division 5 title.

Head Coach: Gene Victor (1st Year)Last year’s record: 6 – 16 (2 – 6, 4th) Last year’s playoffs: None Key players: Kellen Polan (Sr, 6’05"), Joel Connors (Jr, 6’00"), Tyler
Shimkus (Jr, 6’02") Losses to overcome: NoneSummary: The Mustangs have made some progress in the last couple of
years, but still lack the overall talent and depth to compete for the league
title. New coach, Victor, comes with a wealth of collegiate experience.

Head Coach: Kevin Veenstra (2nd
Year)Last year’s record: 11 – 15 (5 – 3, 3rd)Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1st round. Key players: James Baker (Sr, 6’05"), Matt Baker (Sr, 6’02"), Thomas
Donovan (Jr, 6’00") Losses to overcome: Kevin Prins (graduation), Tom Roberts (graduation)Summary: Loss of Prins will hurt for a team already lacking depth
overall. James Baker is a solid player inside, but it will be difficult for
the Crusaders to knock off the top league teams.